Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-24
ADDITIONAL TELEGRAPH
Pacific investigators.


NEW YORK, Sept. 23.-The Pacific
commission resumed its labors toda,
with Judge John H. Illusion or
on the stand He was appointed assistant
solicitor to the Union Pacific for Nebrask 8
in 1875 Before his regular appointment
he had done service for the company In
assisting TO have reconsidered by the Ne
braska legislature bill that was ipjuriou:
to the company's interest. He stated that
he had used money, bat 1t was used in an
honorable manner In presenting the rail-
roads case to the people and the legisla
fure.
General John c. Fremont took the stand.
He said he had seen General Eskin and
others paid $203, 600 for the Leaven worth,
Pawnee & Western raildroad In 1860. It
had then titles 10 certain Indian lands and
some preliminary surveys. There was
scarcely anv construction then. In 1864
the general became estranged from one of
his colleagues and retired, receiving about
what he had paid, never had had. hand in
buying votes and knew nothing
of any such improper use
of money. he then retired and
at his own request Gen. Thomas Ewing
took the stand and made this statement: |
have asked this opportunity TO make
statement respecting my connection with
the Leavenworth, Pawnee 81 Western Rail
road company, which, in 1862, became a
branch OF the Pacific railway, and es-
pecially to tell what / know about certain
contracts alleged to have been made by that
committee il aid of the passage of the first
Pacific railroad law-that of 1862. | was
connected with 1t as director about one
year, from June, 1851, TO 1852, but never
had an active part In its management
The real managers Of the company
were It's President, J. u. Mcdowell;
vice president, A. J. Isaacs, and treasurer,
Gen J. S Stone. They had absolute con
troll OF the affairs of the company, for more
than year before became a member of
The board and for g still longer time after |
left to enter the army. They went to
Washington at the opening of the congress
of 1861 and 90, u aid in passing the pro
posed Pacific railroad bill l did not go
there until late in the session, 10 fact until
the bill had passed the house and was well
on it's way to the senate. l remained bat a
few weeks and left before il passed the
senate. ! never again met with the board
of the executive committee, for the reason,
that Immediately on returning TO congress
l was offered and accepted q commission TO
raise the 18th Kansas infantry volunteers,
and here dropped the business Of the rail
road company and never alter had any
thing to do with It,
While in Washington or that occasion !
recOllect to have Joined one or more of the
gentlemen named 10 executing four or five
contracts with persons whose names are set
down in this Ia regard to which Gen. Stone
was recently examined by this commission
The company mad at that time q charter
come surplus from Leavenworth west, and
q right OF purchase Of certain lands of the
Della wares. 1t had nothing else, save the
hope Of being made part of the Pacific
railroad, which the Kansas people greatly
needed and desired to have built There
was no possibility Of building 1t
except with government aid. The people
of the country were ignorant or inatten-
tive 10 the pressing national needs of the
Pacific railway. II was indispensable that |
:he subject should be thoroughly and ably |
represented 10 congress and to the country |
by the press and personal discussion with |
committees and members Of congress. The |
company had no means whatever TO obtain |
such service except by contracts for |
stock and lands, the value Of which were |
wholly dependent upon the passage of the |
bill. | am not az all willing to admit that
such employment of men was improper. /
have never had reason to believe that any
person with whom any contracts were
made, had or proposed TO have any corrupt
or improper understanding or arrangement
with any member Of congress respecting
the bill. The hesring was adjourned until